Ministry of Justice

Civil Justice Update

Mr David Gauke: The Ministry of Justice is today publishing a consultation paper Extending Fixed Recoverable Costs in Civil Cases: Implementing Sir Rupert Jackson’s proposals. We are seeking views on implementing the proposals in Sir Rupert Jackson’s report on fixed recoverable costs (FRC) in civil cases in England and Wales, published on 31 July 2017.In civil litigation in England and Wales, the winning party is generally entitled to recover their costs from the losing party. The legal costs of civil cases have, however, been too high and too uncertain for a long time, making litigation riskier and less accessible than it should be and thereby undermining access to justice.FRC are a way of controlling the legal costs of civil litigation in advance by prescribing the amount of money that can be recovered by the winning party at set stages of litigation. They reduce overall costs, keep them proportionate and enhance access to justice. They are already an important part of our justice system in lower value personal injury cases and the time is right to consider their extension.The consultation will run until 6 June 2019. I have placed a copy of the consultation in the libraries of both Houses


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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Housing update

James Brokenshire: The Government is committed to tackling unfair practices in the leasehold market and to promote transparency and fairness for leaseholders.It is vital that we have a leasehold market that is transparent, fair and affordable for all those involved; where people know in advance what they are going to have to pay, are not saddled with mounting or unaffordable costs and are able to challenge fees if they feel they are unjustified or unfair.Today I am announcing a package of measures to further support existing as well as future owners of leasehold homes.This includes clamping down on unjustified legal costs for leaseholders, an industry pledge to tackle doubling ground rent charges and reforms to provide greater consumer protections and transparency around the use of event fees in retirement leasehold properties.Under current rules, leaseholders may be liable to pay the legal costs of their landlord regardless of the outcome of a legal challenge. This has led to cases of leaseholders being forced to pay tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees, even when the court or tribunal has found in their favour. This can lead to leaseholders facing higher bills than the charges they were seeking to challenge in the first place. It can also deter leaseholders from taking their concerns to a tribunal.We will bring forward legislation to close these legal loopholes that allow freeholders to unjustifiably recoup legal costs from leaseholders.I am also pleased to unveil industry’s leaseholder pledge, which we have worked on closely with them. This will mean that developers, freeholders, lawyers and managing agents are committing to taking steps to help leaseholders, especially those who are affected by rapidly doubling ground rents. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all those who have already signed up, and to urge those who have yet to do so to do the right thing. We expect all those who are involved to help put right problems for people who are affected.Today I am also announcing the Government’s response to the Law Commission’s 2017 report on Event Fees in Retirement Properties.Implementation of these recommendations will help older people and their families to be better protected from hidden costs and unfair fees charged in some leasehold retirement properties, where owners are required to pay an ‘event fee’ on certain ‘events’, such as sale, sub-letting or change of occupancy. A new statutory code of practice will ensure that these fees cannot be charged unexpectedly, while fees that breach it will be regarded as unenforceable. Developers and estate agents will be required to make all such fees crystal clear to people before they buy, so prospective buyers can make an informed decision before forming a financial or emotional attachment to a property.I am committed to reforming the leasehold market so that it is fit for purpose and works for everyone – and today’s package of reforms builds on our wider leasehold reform programme to reaffirm this commitment.


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Troubled Families Annual Report

James Brokenshire: As required by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, section 3(1), my Department has published the third annual report, setting out how the Troubled Families Programme (2015-2020) has been supporting disadvantaged families. We are laying this report today and will place a copy in the House of Commons library.This notice details what the report covers, for the period up to the end of March 2019, as well as for the next financial year, including setting out which families are eligible for the programme and how the progress of families will be measured.‘Building Resilient Families: Third annual report of the Troubled Families Programme 2018/19’ details how the programme is spreading whole family working across local services so more families get access to the early, practical and coordinated support they need to overcome their complex problems.This programme of whole family working has achieved significant progress over the past twelve months: Local authorities have been funded to work in a whole family way with 380,426 families in most need of help as part of the programme. However, we know that local authorities are working in a whole family way with a far greater number of families. 171,890 families have achieved significant and sustained progress against the problems that were identified when they entered the programme. This is up 79,645 on the previous year. Of all families worked with since the beginning of the programme, in 20,366 families one or more adults have succeeded in moving into continuous employment. An increase of 6,459 since last year. When compared to a matched comparison group, the programme of targeted intervention was found to have: reduced the proportion of children on the programme going into care by a thirdreduced the proportion of adults on the programme going to prison by a quarter and juvenile convictions by 15%supported more people on the programme back in work with 10 per cent fewer people claiming Jobseekers Allowance Families classed as ‘relevant households’ on the programme, as defined by section 3 of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, are tackling at least 2 of the following challenges: Parents or children involved in crime or anti-social behaviourChildren who are not attending school regularlyChildren who need help; that is children of all ages who need help, are identified as in need or are subject to a child protection planAdults out of work or at risk of financial exclusion or young people at risk of worklessnessFamilies affected by domestic violence and abuseParents or children with a range of physical and mental health problemsThe rationale for these eligibility criteria and an explanation of the way in which local authorities should identify families using a range of indicators, suggested referral routes and information sources were set out in the refreshed version of the Financial Framework, published on 8 December 2017. The Financial Framework also sets out how the progress of families supported will be measured. 


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Department for Work and Pensions

Households Below Average Income Statistics

Amber Rudd: I will be making an Oral Statement on this subject later today.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Historic England Tailored Review

Jeremy Wright: I am today announcing the start of a Tailored Review of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (more commonly known as Historic England). As a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), Historic England is required to undergo a tailored review at least once in each Parliament. This is the first review to take place since the organisation was split into two separate, though related, bodies in 2015: an Arm’s Length Body operating under the name Historic England, and a charity called The English Heritage Trust (trading as English Heritage). The Review will be conducted by my officials and will comprise two stages. The first stage will be a robust challenge to the continuing need for the functions performed by Historic England and, if there is a continuing need, whether some or all of these functions should be delivered by alternative delivery models or continued to be delivered by a NDPB. It will also assess the current model and relationship with the English Heritage Trust to ensure it remains fit for purpose. This will include assessing the robustness and long term sustainability of the current financial and governance arrangements following the split of English Heritage from Historic England in 2015. If the review finds that the functions should continue to be delivered by a NDPB, the second stage will review the structure, efficiency and effectiveness of Historic England. It will also consider the organisational control and governance arrangements in place to ensure that they are compliant with the recognised principles of good corporate governance and delivery of good value for money. The findings of the Review will be examined by a Challenge Panel, chaired by a DCMS Non-Executive Director, which will rigorously and robustly test and challenge the assumptions and conclusions of the Review. In conducting the review, officials will engage with a broad range of stakeholders across the UK from heritage, culture, planning and development sectors as well as a selection of local government authorities. The review will follow guidance published in 2016 by the Cabinet Office: ‘Tailored reviews: guidance on reviews of public bodies’. The Terms of Reference for the review and a survey seeking evidence about HE can be found on the DCMS website at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tailored-review-of-historic-england I will inform the House of the outcome of the Review when it is completed and copies of the report of the Review will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Department for Transport

MCA Business Plan

Ms Nusrat Ghani: I am proud to announce the publication of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) business plan for 2019-20. The MCA does vital work to save lives at sea, regulate ship standards and protect the marine environment. The Agency affects not just those working on the coast or at sea, it upholds the legacy of our great maritime nation.The business plan sets out:the vision for a future aviation strategy, including the next phase of helicopter contracts;improvement to the already first class HM Coastguard; andthe next phase of the Survey & Inspection Transformation Programme.At the international level, MCA will work alongside the Department and with the input of other government departments to represent the UK’s interests at the International Maritime Organization, and at other relevant bodies.Domestically, MCA will continue to work collaboratively to grow the maritime sector in the UK so that it continues to contribute positively to the economy. They will also provide a valuable contribution to the delivery the ambitions set out in Maritime 2050 and its accompanying route maps.This plan allows service users and members of the public the opportunity to see how the agency is developing and using new technologies to improve its services and performance.The Key Performance Indicators will assess how the agency is performing in operating its key services, managing reforms and the agency finances throughout the year.The business plan will be available electronically on GOV.UK and copies will be placed in the libraries of both houses.



MCA Business Plan
(PDF Document, 1.23 MB)





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Motoring Agencies Business Plans 2019 - 20

Jesse Norman: I am pleased to inform the House of the publication of the 2019-20 business plans for the Department for Transport’s Motoring Agencies - the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).The business plans set out:the services each agency will deliver and any significant changes they plan to make;the resources they require; and,the key performance indicators, by which their performance will be assessed.These plans allow service users and members of the public to understand the agencies’ plans for delivering their key services, implementing their transformation programmes, and managing their finances.The business plans will be available electronically on GOV.UK and copies will be placed in the libraries of both Houses.



VCA
(PDF Document, 734.46 KB)




DVSA
(PDF Document, 755.74 KB)




DVLA
(PDF Document, 4.29 MB)





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Department for Exiting the European Union

General Affairs Council, March 2019

Mr Robin Walker: Lord Callanan, Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, has made the following statement:David Lidington, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, represented the UK at the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting on 19 March in Brussels. A provisional report of the meeting and the conclusions adopted can be found on the Council of the European Union’s website at:https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2019/03/19/ Multiannual Financial Framework 2021 - 2027The Presidency presented a progress report outlining the latest developments on MFF-related sectoral proposals, which Ministers agreed to send to the European Parliament.Ministers discussed the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. Ministers agreed that funding migration policy should be a priority in the next MFF, however funding for the internal and external aspects of migration policy were still to be decided. Member States broadly agreed the Commission’s proposed 25% target of EU expenditure on climate objectives across all programmes. The new proposal aims to build on the last MFF by having 25% of the Union budget expenditures supporting climate objectives, instead of the 20% from the last MFF, in order to implement the Paris Agreement and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Some Member States stated that higher targets within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and cohesion policy programmes would be more difficult to achieve under proposed cuts for these programmes.The Commission encouraged Member States to be adaptable in their positions in order to reach an agreement on the negotiations in autumn 2019. The shared goal was to provide a simplified draft position in preparation for Leaders to discuss at the June European Council.Instrument for Pre-Accession AssistanceMinisters were presented with the Partial General Approach on the Regulation establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession in Assistance (IPA III). The IPA III is part of the MFF and supports EU enlargement policy by providing funding and support for implementing key political, institutional, social and economic reforms to comply with EU values, rules, standards and policies. The beneficiaries for the IPA III are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovinia, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Turkey. After formal adoption of the mandate at a future Council, discussions are expected to begin between the Council, European Commission and European Parliament under the Finnish Presidency.Preparation of the European Council 21-22 March 2019: Conclusions and European Council follow-upThe Council discussed preparations and draft conclusions for the 21-22 March European Council. These included climate change, the upcoming EU-China summit, tackling disinformation and strengthening the European economic base. Member States were unanimous in calling for a wide-ranging discussion on the Single Market and Industrial Policy. As such, there were broad calls from Member States for the Commission to produce an integrated 2030 Industrial Strategy by March 2020.Member States welcomed the recent Commission - European External Action Service communication on China. Member States also welcomed the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the fifth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea, and many Member States highlighted the need to counter the threat of disinformation, especially in the run up to the European Parliament elections.The UK welcomed the joint communication on China, supported the addition of language on Crimea and restated our commitment to the policy of non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. We also welcomed the inclusion of the issue of disinformation on the agenda and highlighted the need to build resilience against hybrid threats.European SemesterThe Presidency presented a report on the discussions and main political messages from the different Council configurations on 2019 European Semester package. The Council noted that although the European economy had entered its sixth year of growth, further action is needed to tackle global instability and economic challenges. The Commission welcomed the Presidency’s report and the emphasis on Country-Specific Recommendations.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign Affairs Council – 18 March 2019

Sir Alan Duncan: My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 18 March. It was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), Federica Mogherini. The meeting was held in Brussels.Commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the illegal annexation of CrimeaThe High Representative and Foreign Ministers marked the fifth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by holding a short livestreamed session. The HRVP reiterated the key elements of the EU position; the EU did not, and would not, recognise this violation of international law, and stood in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.Current AffairsHRVP Mogherini expressed shock and solidarity with New Zealand over the attacks in Mosques in Christchurch.The High Representative and Ministers welcomed the results of the third Brussels conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, which reaffirmed EU support for the UN-led political process and Syrian people by successfully mobilising aid from the international communityThe High Representative briefed Ministers on the International Contact Group’s ongoing work on Venezuela. Foreign Ministers expressed their concern at the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation. They reiterated the urgent need to find a way towards a political process.The High Representative and Ministers also noted the signature of the peace agreement in the Central African Republic and the recently announced US measures on the International Criminal Court.ChinaThe Council held a wide-ranging and comprehensive exchange of views on China and EU-China relations, ahead of its discussion with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussion fed into the 21-22 March European Council meeting and EU-China summit on 9 April, in Brussels.The discussion was informed by the joint communication by the High Representative and the Commission entitled ‘EU-China: A strategic outlook’ which had been adopted on 12 March. Ministers welcomed the assessment made in the joint communication and the proposed actions. While the 2016 China strategy remains the basis for EU cooperation with China, the joint communication provides useful guidelines on how to refine Europe’s approach to China to be more realistic, assertive and multi-faceted.Republic of MoldovaThe Council discussed the Republic of Moldova following its 24 February Parliamentary elections. Foreign Ministers agreed that the formation of a government should be a transparent and credible process that respected the outcome of the election. EU cooperation with Moldova will continue to be based on the implementation of the 2014 Association Agreement, with financial support conditional upon Moldova’s progress. The Council reaffirmed that the EU would continue to work to provide tangible benefits for the Moldovan people and support for civil society.YemenMinisters recalled that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Yemen and that the only way forward was the full implementation of the Stockholm agreement. They stressed the need to keep up the political momentum and to push the parties to fulfil urgently their commitments, as well as the need to see immediate progress on the ground.The Council reiterated the EU’s full support for the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and his efforts in finding a lasting, sustainable, enforceable, inclusive and negotiated political solution within a UN-led framework. Foreign Ministers highlighted in particular the importance of fully involving Yemeni women in the political process, and expressed concern at the lack of improvement in the dire humanitarian situation, especially access for humanitarian aid. The Council reiterated that the EU and its member states would continue their humanitarian assistance efforts and lend political support as necessary.Lunch with Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang YiOver lunch, foreign ministers held an open and wide-ranging discussion with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.Council ConclusionsThe Council agreed a number of measures without discussion:The Council adopted conclusions on the EU guidelines on non-discrimination in external action.The Council adopted conclusions on the European Court of Auditors Special Report 35/2018: ‘Transparency of EU funds implemented by NGOs: more effort needed’.The Council adopted conclusions on the first European topical peer review for nuclear safety.The Council reviewed the sanctions regarding the situation in South Sudan, and agreed to maintain the restrictive measures currently in place against one person.The Council approved the specifications for the 2019 military crisis management exercise (MILEX 19).The Council established the EU’s position for the 15th meeting of the EU-Republic of North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council, which will take place on 19 March 2019 in Brussels. 


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